Precis Artexia 
of these kingfishers differ in detail. We admit 
that this is the case, but would maintain, at the 
same time, that these comparatively slight dif- 
ferences in habit do not account for the very 
striking differences in plumage. We may also 
cite the yellow and pied wagtails of our own 
country, which may be seen feeding in the same 
meadows. Most familiar and striking of all is the 
everyday sight of a blackbird and thrush plying 
their respective avocations within a few yards of 
each other on the same lawn, differently coloured 
though they be. 
Another weighty objection to the generally 
accepted theory of protective colouration is that 
some of the creatures which assimilate most 
closely to their environment are those which 
appear to be the least in need of such protection. 
The butterfly Preces artexia, writes F. C. 
Selous, ‘‘is only found in shady forests, is 
seldom seen flying until disturbed, and always 
sits on the ground amongst dead leaves. Though 
handsomely coloured on the upper side, when its 
wings are closed it closely resembles a dead leaf. 
It has a little tail on the lower wing, which looks 
exactly like the stalk of a leaf, and from this tail 
a dark-brown line runs through both wings (which 
on the under side are light brown) to the apex of 
the upper wing. One would naturally be inclined 
to look upon this wonderful resemblance to a 
dead leaf in a butterfly sitting with closed wings 
203 
